How to use "ran behind schedule"

What Does "ran behind schedule" Mean?

• Meaning of the collocation or phrasal verb: "Ran behind schedule" signifies that an event, project, or person is delayed or not progressing at the pace initially planned or expected.
• Whether meaning is compositional or semi-idiomatic: The meaning is semi-idiomatic. While each word has its individual meaning, the combined phrase carries a specific, predictable sense of being delayed or lagging. The "behind schedule" part is a fixed phrase.
• Register: neutral

How to Use It

• Grammatical pattern: verb + adverbial phrase (verb + prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial)
• Typical objects, complements, or prepositions that follow: The subject is usually an event, project, person, or process. No prepositions directly follow the phrase.
• Can the components be separated? (for phrasal verbs): No, the components should not be separated. "Behind schedule" is a fixed phrase modifying the verb "ran" (or another form of "run").
• What sounds unnatural: wrong verb (e.g., "walked behind schedule"), wrong preposition (e.g., "ran on schedule" when meaning delayed), wrong object (using an animate object if the context doesn't support it, e.g., "the idea ran behind schedule" unless the idea is part of a larger plan).

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from ran behind schedule on Ludwig.guru.

"Although the Games reportedly cost more than $50 billion—making them the most expensive Olympics, summer or winter, ever held—the construction of venues and other buildings ran behind schedule, and some early news reports detailed such problems as half-finished hotels that lacked basic amenities, including clean running water." — Encyclopedia Britannica

"Here are the growing costs of the projects at the design and planning phase: And here are ones under construction: No, as the chart below shows, most of the projects under construction are running behind schedule as well as over budget." — The Guardian

"The event was running behind schedule." — The New York Times

"The S.E.C., more than any other agency, is running behind schedule." — The New York Times

"When buses are running behind schedule, the network automatically extends green lights in bus-only lanes." — The New York Times

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/ran+behind+schedule

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
delayed	A single-word adjective or past participle; more concise.
behind time	Similar meaning, but slightly more informal.
falling behind	Emphasizes the ongoing process of becoming delayed.
lagging behind	Similar to "falling behind," but can imply a slower pace.
off schedule	A more general way to express being not on time.
not on track	Implies that progress is deviating from the intended path.
slipping	Implies a gradual movement towards being late.

Common Mistakes

• Using the wrong verb: Using a verb other than a form of "run" (is running, has run, etc.) can sound unnatural.
• Using the wrong preposition: Learners might incorrectly use a different preposition, such as 'on' or 'in', instead of 'behind'.
• Separating the phrase: Inserting words between "running" and "behind schedule" disrupts the idiomatic meaning.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
ran behind schedule	To be delayed or not progressing as planned.	verb + adverbial phrase	Neutral

FAQs

Can the parts of "ran behind schedule" be separated?

No, the parts of "ran behind schedule" should generally not be separated. While you might insert adverbs to modify the verb (e.g., "ran significantly behind schedule"), breaking up "behind schedule" itself would sound unnatural.

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How is "ran behind schedule" different from simply saying something is "late"?

While both indicate tardiness, "ran behind schedule" usually refers to a project, event, or process deviating from a pre-established timeline. Saying something is "late" is more general and can apply to individual actions or arrivals.

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What's wrong with saying "ran on schedule" when you mean "ran behind schedule"?

Using "on schedule" implies the opposite meaning: that something is progressing as planned and is on time. Using the wrong preposition (e.g., "on" instead of "behind") completely changes the meaning of the phrase, leading to miscommunication. The correct phrasing to indicate a delay is "ran behind schedule".